Projects to improve U.S. 1, U.S. 40 are announced by state officials

August 04, 2004|By Seth Rosen | Seth Rosen,SUN STAFF

Maryland transportation officials announced yesterday that the state will spend more than $2 million on road projects designed to reduce congestion in the White Marsh and Perry Hall areas of Baltimore County.

The State Highway Administration is moving forward with a $1.7 million project to build a lane on westbound U.S. 40 between Ebenezer Road and White Marsh Boulevard, said Maryland Transportation Secretary Robert L. Flanagan. The project would widen and resurface the road, improve drainage and upgrade the guardrails, Flanagan said.

Also, the state is spending $300,000 on preliminary work to improve U.S. 1 between Cottington and East Joppa roads and nearby India Avenue in Perry Hall. The SHA is gathering input from community leaders and property owners. The design process is to begin this year.

FOR THE RECORD - An article yesterday incorrectly stated that road work planned for U.S. 1 in Perry Hall is expected to be completed in the fall of 2005. In fact, state highway officials expect the design of the project to be completed by then, but construction would not begin before spring 2006.The Sun regrets the error

As trucks and lunchtime travelers whizzed by on U.S. 40 yesterday, Flanagan said improvements there are "part of a clear strategy of providing economic development in this part of Baltimore County."

The improvements are designed to provide better access to White Marsh Boulevard. A $68 million project is extending that highway from White Marsh to the Middle River area, where a planned business park would provide thousands of jobs.

Flanagan said the improvements would make the stretch of U.S. 40 near White Marsh Boulevard safer. He said that stretch of road carries more than 40,000 vehicles a day and has a crash rate above the state average.

Frank Pommett, president of the Essex-Middle River-White Marsh Chamber of Commerce, said traffic safety is a concern to people moving into the area.

"It's hard to get to work or to school," he said. "By reinvesting money into the area, I believe the east side will continue to flourish."

In Perry Hall, development has led many residents to call for an effort to reduce traffic along U.S. 1, community leaders said.

"People are concerned with the volume and speed of traffic," said Del. Joseph C. Boteler III, as congestion snarled U.S. 1 and Ebenezer Road. "This particular intersection is very dangerous."

Ideas under consideration include construction of a new median on U.S. 1; relocation of the traffic signal at the Perry Hall Shopping Center; creation of a new left-turn lane on southbound U.S. 1; adjusting the traffic pattern; and rebuilding sidewalks, curbs and driveways.

The project, with an estimated cost of $1.5 million to $2.5 million, is expected to be completed in the fall of next year, state highway officials said.

"This is critical to the well-being of our community," said Dennis Eckard, president of the Perry Hall Improvement Association. "I'm pleased to see that money is set forward to do something about the safety issues. I hope they will alleviate the problems."